Why I chose a Prep Year

by RJ Eytle-Rock

Last years #1 ranked player and Barking Abbey’s RJ Eytle-Rock is undertaking a prep year at Peddie High School in New Jersey. We find out why.

The 6ft 3″ Guard closed out his last season in the UK in fine fashion as a EABL Playoff Winner, NBL Division 2 Champion with 21 points in the Final topped off by collecting a Bronze Medalist for Great Britain U20’s posting 8.7 ppg & 3.0 apg in 25 minutes per outing.

I chose a Prep Year to simply get me ready both academically and physically for college. I didn’t want to rush into anything for a short-term purpose so I thought of my long-term goals and believe the results will come later. The goal is to attend a good college after this year where I can further develop my game and education.

My goals this season are to receive a scholarship to a good four year college program and as always to win as many games as possible where I want to improve as an individual. With the strength coach and head basketball coach here at Peddie it is inevitable that I will get better as time goes on. I’m surrounded by people who push me and have great work ethic so I’m excited for what this year holds.

We will also be going up against Luol’s High School in Blair Academy which is crazy! When I spoke with Coach Mantenga the first thing he said was “Peddie are a good school… they are our rivals!” and once I got here I learnt it’s going to be a huge game with the whole school likely being in attendance with it been a rivalry for years. I know Blair have a lot of big names and I can’t wait to go up against them and prove myself. I’m definitely looking forward to that game and hoping to come out with the W.

There are a lot of people to thank, but I’ll keep it at two.

I would like to thank my mum for keeping me on the right path and for always believing in me, my choices and what I want to do and allowing me to follow my dreams overseas.

Also Coach Lloyd was great during my time at Barking. All season we spoke on a completely honest level and he was a great coach/mentor to have. All summer long we had conversations about what’s best for me and I can’t thank him enough for never giving up during the recruiting process.